Solano leaps from obscurity to starter for Marlins

Sore back sidelines Ruggiano; Stanton returns from beaning

Marlins second baseman Donovan Solano connects for a hit against Kevin…

February 21, 2013|By Craig Davis, Sun Sentinel

JUPITER — — When Miami Marlins manager Mike Redmond preaches that spring training is a haven of opportunity, he can point to Donovan Solano as Exhibit A.

A year ago, Solano was just another face in a crowded clubhouse trying to get noticed. He opened eyes with a superb spring training. Now he is the starting second baseman.

"I have a good opportunity in this camp," he said. "The deal is, I need to be the same guy."

Solano didn't make the Marlins' Opening Day roster last year despite hitting .410 in the spring, but he was one of the first players summoned from the minors. He stuck and hit .295 in 93 games in 2012.

The trades of Omar Infante and Emilio Bonifacio opened the position for the 24-year-old Colombian native.

"I have in my mind — not more relaxed, but that [I know] I can do it," he said of the difference this spring. "I feel confident. There's not too much pressure."

Solano said he benefited from spending a month in the offeason preparing and playing with the Colombian team in the World Baseball Classic qualifier.

He was one of the most-impressive hitters in simulated games the past two days. He hit a towering home run off closer Steve Cishek on Wednesday and had another hit Thursday.

"I got a bomb — good swing, good contact. I'm not a power guy, but sometimes that happens for everybody," said Solano, who hit two homers last season.

More important, he is quickly developing a working relationship with new shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, who has already impressed Redmond with his glove and bat. Hechavarria tripled to right-center Thursday off Henderson Alvarez.

"A couple of those guys look like they're ready to go for Opening Day already. I don't know how they do that, but they came out swinging and they look good," Redmond said.

Ruggiano a concern

While Giancarlo Stanton returned a day after being hit in the head by a 95-mph fastball, the Marlins received another health concern when Justin Ruggiano left the field early with tightness in his lower back.

Ruggiano, the front-runner to start in center field, also dealt with back spasms late last season. He was fielding a grounder in the outfield when he felt pain.

"It's not fun, it's annoying. I'm frustrated and angry that I haven't got ahold on why it keeps happening," said Ruggiano, who will remain out until the soreness subsides.

Stanton didn't participate in the simulated game but did hit in the batting cages and expects to play in Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against St. Louis.

The right fielder was hit at the juncture of the back of his head and neck by a pitch that got away from top pitching prospect Jose Fernandez on Wednesday. X-rays were negative.

"It all checked out fine. I was pretty loopy, I must say, yesterday, but for the most part I feel fine," Stanton said Thursday morning. "Right after it happened, the outside of my eyes were blurry. I was feeling a little off." …

First baseman Logan Morrison started light jogging on an anti-gravity treadmill. He hadn't run since undergoing surgery on his right knee Sept. 5. He doesn't expect to be ready for Opening Day.

Lowell coming

Redmond said former Marlins third baseman Mike Lowell will arrive in camp Feb. 28 and be in uniform as a guest instructor for the next three games.